Updated for 2025/26
£11,996 vs £20,951 Salary Comparison
Compare a £11,996 salary against £20,951. Find out exactly how much more (or less) you will take home after tax.
Gross Difference
+£8,955
per year
Take Home Extra
+£550.69
per month
You Keep
74%
of the raise
5-Year Gain
+£33,042
cumulative
Entry-Level Career Progression
This comparison is typical for early career moves or first promotions. At this salary range, most of your income is taxed at the basic rate (20%), so you keep a higher percentage of any raise.
- Negotiate hard - you keep ~70-80% of any increase at this level
- Consider employers offering good pension matching (often worth more than small salary differences)
- Look for roles with clear progression paths to higher bands
- Factor in benefits like free lunches, gym memberships, or transport subsidies
Compare Salaries
Enter multiple salaries to compare take-home pay for 2025/26
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Comparison Results
| Metric | £11,996 | £20,951 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | £11,996 | £20,951 | £8,955 |
| Income Tax | £0 | £1,676 | £1,676 |
| National Insurance | £0 | £670 | £670 |
| Pension | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Take-Home Pay (Yearly) | £11,996 | £18,604 | £6,608 |
| Take-Home (Monthly) | £1,000 | £1,550 | £551 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.0% | 11.2% | 11.2% |
£11,996
Gross£11,996
Take-Home£11,996
You Keep100.0%
£20,951
Gross£20,951
Take-Home£18,604
You Keep88.8%
Tax Band Analysis
Understanding where your money goes
£11,996
Tax BandPersonal Allowance
Marginal Rate0%
Income Tax£0.00
National Insurance£0.00
Take Home (Monthly)£999.67
£20,951
Tax BandBasic Rate
Marginal Rate20%
Income Tax£1,676.20
National Insurance£670.48
Take Home (Monthly)£1,550.36
Tax Band Change: This salary increase crosses from the Personal Allowance (0%) into the Basic Rate (20%). The portion above £12,570.00 will be taxed at the higher rate.
What £550.69 Extra Buys You
Real-world value of the take-home difference
Monthly Subscriptions
Netflix, Spotify, gym - £100.00/mo
Weekend Breaks
1-2 UK getaways per month at this budget
Savings Boost
£6,608.32/year extra into savings or investments
Car Payment
Could cover a decent car on PCP or lease
Full Comparison: £11,996 vs £20,951
£11,996
- Gross Pay£11,996.00
- Take Home (Year)£11,996.00
- Take Home (Month)£999.67
- Effective Tax Rate0.0%
£20,951
- Gross Pay£20,951.00
- Take Home (Year)£18,604.32
- Take Home (Month)£1,550.36
- Effective Tax Rate11.2%
The difference in take-home pay is £6,608 per year, which works out to £550.69 per month.